The opening two rounds in the AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines championship battle have proven both intense and unpredictable.

Reigning Grand National Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) scored an amazing 20 Main Event wins in 31 attempts during a historically dominant stretch that spanned much of the 2017 and 2018 seasons, resulting in two runaway titles. However, Mees is now winless in the last seven Main Events and ranks fifth in the ‘19 standings.

Mees was victorious at last year’s Texas Half-Mile and is no doubt eager for a return to his dominant ways. But if there’s any rider even more motivated to win this weekend than Mees, it has to be his long-time rival, Bryan Smith (No. 4 Crosley Brands/Howerton Motorsports Kawasaki Ninja 650).

Smith broke his left fibula in a spectacular, multi-rider crash at Texas Motor Speedway a year ago. That incident effectively derailed any hopes he had to reclaim the #1 plate that Mees took off him the season prior. It also hindered him from rediscovering him winning form until late in the season. But once he did, he was nearly unstoppable, taking three wins in the final four races of 2018.

Smith reunited with the title-proven Crosley Brands/Howerton Motorsports Kawasaki effort for 2019, but he’s still looking to remind the field just how potent that pairing can be.

But don’t sleep on American Honda-backed Mikey Rush (No. 15 RMR Honda/Red Riders Rewards Honda CRF450R). The former AFT Twins standout has made an admirably seamless transition to Roof Systems AFT Singles duty. He currently sits fourth in the standings and should only continue to gain speed as the season progresses.

Rush and his teammates, Cameron Smith (No. 44 RMR/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Honda CRF450R) and Cole Zabala (No. 51 RMR/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Honda CRF450R), will be defending their sponsor’s home turf this weekend as they look to put Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda on the podium at its titular event.

Saturday’s Texas Half-Mile also marks the season opener for the 11-round AFT Production Twins championship. The series, which has been designed to help up-and-coming AFT Singles riders adapt to faster, more powerful twins machinery, boasts a stacked entry list this weekend.

Among the many notable riders competing is none other than Danny Eslick (No. 64 Black Hills Harley-Davidson XG750R Rev X). A multi-time road racing national champion and Daytona 200 winner, Eslick is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most naturally gifted, exciting, and charismatic riders.

Race fans will have plenty to keep them busy between races. The Texas Half-Mile will feature the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm & Blue Drumline, live music by the Pete Barbeck Duo and an Easter egg hunt, along with numerous vendors and displays.

A variety of ticket packages for the Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Texas Half-Mile presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys are on sale now at tickets.americanflattrack.com. General admission tickets start at $40 and are free for kids 12 and under. Families with children under the age of 12 can enter the code 4FAMILY for a $20 discount on two adult general admission tickets.

For fans watching remotely, FansChoice.tv will provide live coverage starting when the gates open at 2:00 p.m. ET. Practice begins an hour later and Opening Ceremonies are slated to begin at 6:50 p.m. ET. The rider autograph session is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET with Mains starting at 9:10 p.m. ET.

Whether you make it to the track or watch on your device, be sure to catch the feature broadcast of the Texas Half-Mile on NBCSN with flag-to-flag coverage of both Main Events, enhanced by exclusive features and cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage. It will debut on Sunday, April 28 at 5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT and will re-air on Tuesday, April 30 at 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT.

About American Flat Track:

American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on American Flat Track, please visit http://www.americanflattrack.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram, live stream the events at FansChoice.tv and catch all the American Flat Track racing action on NBCSN.